BATON ROUGE — The LSU Swimming and Diving program said goodbye to the 2011-12 season at the team’s annual award’s banquet held on Saturday night at the University Faculty Club.
Over 100 participants were in attendance. In addition to recognizing the success of the student-athletes and saying goodbye to the senior class, the program honored the support staff that assisted the program all season.
“It was a great evening celebrating the work and commitment of our student athletes and support staff,” Swimming Coach Dave Geyer said. “Bringing the team together to honor our accomplishment as a team and also individual success always helps in building excitement for next season.”
The Tigers completed one of the best seasons in program history, and with only six departing seniors, the future appears bright.
Seven women and two men qualified for the NCAA Championships. Freshman diver Alex Bettridge, junior swimmer Craig Hamilton and sophomore diver Daniel Helm all earned NCAA All-American Honorable Mention.
“We had an excellent banquet celebrating the success of the team while recognizing individual accomplishments,” Diving Coach Doug Shaffer said. “Craig Hamilton and Alex Bettridge were recognized as our male and female most outstanding athletes for their performances at the NCAA Championships.”
The LSU men’s team finished the SEC Championships in the top-five in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1998-99 and 1999-00 campaigns. The men’s squad shattered last year’s point total of 263.5 with a cumulative mark of 426.
Similarly, the women enjoyed the finest two-year run within the conference since the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. The women’s team notched 347 points.
Freshman Frank Greeff, Bettridge, Michael Young and Marlene Niemi were named to the All-SEC Freshman team.
The following awards were given out at the banquet:
Most Outstanding Athlete Award: The recipient of this award has ended the season with the most combined points scored in a dual meet, invitational and championship setting.
Recipients: Alex Bettridge and Craig Hamilton
Newcomer of the Year: The recipient of this award has ended the season with the most combined points scored in a dual meet, invitational and championship setting, and is a first year athlete to the program.
Recipients: Alex Bettridge and Frank Greeff
Hammer Award: The recipient of this award has performed on a daily basis with the most effort he/she could possibly bring. The athlete marks excellent attendance, positive attitude and with no complaints along the way.
Recipients: Alex Bettridge and Ricardo Alvarado Jiminez
Stripes Award: The recipient of this award exhibits positive representation of our program and LSU in many aspects of life along with athletics. This student-athlete promotes community service, high standard of academics and a positive leadership on a daily basis.
Recipients: Sally Wood and Timmy Dasinger
Most Improved Award: The recipient of this award has performed with the most improvement among his/her peers. Most improved can be calculated by time drops, competitive level and standards met.
Recipients: Rainey White, Amber Carter and Ricardo Alvarado Jiminez
The Tiger’s fall recruiting will add two men and eight women to the program. Seven swimmers and three female divers will join the 2012-13 squad. The class is highlighted by divers Cassie Weil, Allie Alter and Isabelle “Izzy” Choquehuanca and swimmers Sophie Webber, Gabe Rocker, Grant Grenfell, Megan Cox, Jassie James, Caley Oqust and Stacy Stanfield.